Difference Between Vaporizer and Humidifier

A vaporizer or a humidifier can help reduce discomfort if your child is suffering from cold. These machines can improve room humidity and could help decongest blocked nasal passages. However, these two machines are radically different from each other. Knowing the major differences between vaporizer and humidifier will help you to choose which is best for your child’s room.

First of all, a humidifier produces cool mist or moisture while a vaporizer propagates warm moisture. The type of humidity produced by these machines is their biggest difference.

A vaporizer has a heating mechanism to boil stored water in its tank. Once the water turns to steam, it will disperse the warm mist around the room. That is why the humidity in the room will improve.

On the other hand, a humidifier cools the water in its storage tank before releasing a mist into the air. The result therefore is cooler humidity. There are also humidifiers that simply spew out the tap water in its reservoir. In both types of humidifiers, the mist propagated inside the room is cooler.

A vaporizer is generally cheaper than humidifier. You can also add medicated liquid to the water reservoir of the vaporizer so it can produce medicated mist. This functionality is rarely seen on most humidifier.

Because a vaporizer boils the water before releasing mist into the air, there is less chance that the machine will spew out mist laden with bacteria. A humidifier is greatly disadvantaged in this aspect.

However, a humidifier is safer to use in a child’s room than vaporizer. Because a humidifier does not boil water, accidental scalding is not possible. With a vaporizer, hot water can accidentally spill from the water tank which could cause injuries.

When buying a humidifier or vaporizer, you have to remember that these devices produce different types of humidity. A humidifier spews cooler mist while a vaporizer produces warm moisture.

Leave a Response

Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Written by : Mabelle.
and updated on November 6, 2009

Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages.